Raiders look to get back on title track in `24
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Holly Hill – For three years, the Holly Hill Academy football program ruled the eight-man ranks of SCISA football.
The Raiders won three straight state championships from 2020-22 and posted 39 consecutive wins. But streaks don’t last forever and the winning streak and state title run ended in 2023.
Holly Hill Academy suffered two losses, both to Jefferson Davis, with the last defeat coming in the state championship game. The Raiders were seven points from a fourth consecutive championship.
The losses last season will serve as fuel for the fire as the Raiders take on the 2024 season. They opened the season with a 34-26 win over the Carolina Wildcats on Aug. 23.
Second-year head coach Andy Palmer lost some key players from last year’s team and this year’s lineup will include several first-year starters. But the prospects are good for another strong campaign.
The quarterback position is arguably the most important in football and the Raiders will have experience under center with the return of senior Ashton Soles. Soles threw for nearly 800 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for six more scores. He also is a key leader defensively at outside linebacker, totaling 71 tackles last season.
Gone are the top two rushers from last season. Tyree James accounted for more than 1,900 yards and 34 touchdowns on the ground while Mason Rudd added nearly 400 yards and nine scores.
Looking to step into bigger offensive roles at running back are senior Camdin Harmon and sophomore Parker Kizer. Both also are key defenders at linebacker with Harmon posting 146 tackles and Kizer racking up 89 total tackles last season.
Sophomore JP McGriff and senior Ax Wolpert also figure into the running back mix. Juniors Aaron Johnson and Takobe Sweatman are the starting tight ends.
Senior Tyler Green is a returning right guard. Senior Brodon Murray is working at left guard and senior Jagger Edmonds is the center. Juniors Ryan Brown and Shade Snyder are getting reps at right guard, while freshmen Kaz Brown and Aarav Patel are working on the left side. Backing up Edmonds are junior Evan Floyd and freshman Caleb Bell.
Senior Jody Gilliam is the top returner at receiver with senior Brayden Mizell also getting work.
Many of the same offensive players also see time on defense. Along the front will be junior Jason Iler. Murray will start at the other end and Floyd or junior Brady Garing will start at nose.
Working at linebacker will be a group including Soles, Harmon, Kizer, senior Connor Teague, Johnson, McGriff and freshman Jake Kirven.
Senior Jonathan Boyd is a safety, as is Wolpert. Gilliam is a returning starter at safety but is recovering from injury as the season begins.
